Miss Cato fourth in Grade One American Oaks

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Three Chimneys LLC's Miss Cato finished fourth this evening in the Grade One American Oaks at Hollywood Park under Garrett Gomez.  She was second most of the way looking pretty keen off a slow pace, then was pushed out wide by Mick Channon's Nayarra and hampered when they sprinted off the turn, eventually coming off fourth best, beaten five or so lengths.  This was a very creditable effort for her first run in the States for her new owners and she will now stay out there with a view to winning a Pattern race.  Well done Miss Cato, what a brilliant effort for a horse who started off in a seller on 1 January.  Thank you to Nick McKee who has been looking after her out in Hollywood Park (yes, Nick it is still raining at home).  Miss Cato's dam, Regal Fairy, owned by Mr Bennett, is in foal to her sire Notnowcato.

Now Macchiara is off the mark too

Thursday, 12 July 2012

This is shaping up to be a good week with two first timers winning.  After Emperor's Waltz yesterday, today saw Linda Fish's charming Medicean filly Macchiara make the winner's enclosure at Doncaster under Sylvestre de Souza.  Macchiara has had some issues with the stalls (and frankly who can blame her after the stalls swung back in her face at Folkestone) but she went in after a bit of persuasion here, broke smartly, was a bit keen but settled within a couple of furlongs and ended up going on and winning fairly readily.  This win is testament to the patience of travelling head lad Andrew Bubb, assistant Nick McKee (pictured riding her) and head lad Steve Lodge who have all in their own ways really contributed to this win by treating her with the kid gloves she has required.  Well done them and owners Linda and David Fish who are also lucky enough to own Newmarket winner Poisson d'Or.

Now Emperor's Waltz does her bit!

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Antonius Pius filly Emperor's Waltz has had her chances to put her head in front, but none better than a seller this afternoon at Yarmouth and put her head in front she did, posting a welcome winner for her owners Hirschfeld, Alexander, Murphy and Guest.  Even we have to admit that it was not a good race, but - as they all are - it was there to be lost and she was not even favourite.  Against the tipster's advice, win she did, and in some style, in the process taking us over last year's annual winners total of 21. If we can only net another six 2012 will be the best year numerically of Rae's training career.  The next runners are, as ever, weather related, but are expected to be Macchiara at Doncaster and Princess of Orange in an apprentice handicap at York under Jamie Jones, who knows her well.

Guiletta wins on handicap bow

Sunday, 08 July 2012

The Hornets' Guiletta won in bad ground at Beverley yesterday under Ryan Clark, posting an excellent first winner for her dam, the Hornets' Guilia, whom Rae trained to be fifth in the Oaks.  Guilia was a good horse herself and Guiletta is her first foal so it was important to get her off the mark.  Congratulations to the Hornets!

Million Faces wins at fourth attempt

Sunday, 01 July 2012

Rae was delighted to see Chris and Lesley Mills' Million Faces win at Windsor this afternoon, repeating Albany Rose's win in the race a year ago.  Of all the horses that have run this weekend, Rae was most keen to see this filly get her head in front as she is the last retained filly foal of former stable star and Rae's favourite, Millyant (also the dam of Mirza).  This one resembles her dam closely but has taken a while to get the hang of racing and to find a race on a sounder surface.  She can also be a bit keen and as agreed Chris Catlin dropped her in today but felt he was always going to win from 2 out although, given that, it was a bit more exciting than necessary as she won by only a neck.  Win she did though, posting the 19th of the year.  Well done and congratulations to the family Mills!